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Councillors want Muzik's liquor licence suspended or revoked

Councillors want Muzik's liquor licence suspended or revoked

Two city councillors are asking that Muzik's liquor licence be suspended or revoked in the wake of "a series of violent incidents" at the nightclub, including last month's deadly shooting.

Councillors Mike Layton and Gord Perks have written a letter to Toronto and East York Community Council, asking that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) review the club's liquor licence "for a suspension or revocation."

The club is nearby the councillors' wards — Layton's Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina, and Perks's Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park.

In the letter, the councillors say Muzik "has been a continued source of concern for local residents with regard to loud noise, public urination, traffic and public intoxication," as well as other issues.

The letter says Toronto police have had "on-going dealings" with the club, and that investigators have been called there numerous times since 2012 for reports of assault, including assault with a weapon and sexual assault.

The city's municipal licensing and standards department has also received four noise complaints about the club over the last 18 months, the letter says.

The AGCO has conducted 14 inspections of the club and recorded six infractions relating to drunkenness, promoting "immoderate consumption" and the use of narcotics, the letter goes on. As a result, the AGCO has issued numerous warnings, and levied fines totalling about $6,000.

Last month, the club had new conditions attached to its licence, the letter adds, without going into specifics.

Club management did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter and its contents. The AGCO also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"It is evident from current events and the ongoing impacts felt by nearby residents that the steps taken by the community, (Toronto Police Service) and AGCO have not been a deterrent in changing the behaviour of (Muzik Clubs Inc.) and management staff at the premises," the letter says.

The councillors are asking for a review of the liquor licence for a suspension or revocation under the Liquor Licence Act on three grounds:

- That past and present behaviour by the company and the club's managers "affords reasonable grounds that the business will continue to disturb residents living nearby the establishment and community at large, as demonstrated by the recent charges and historical charges laid by TPS and AGCO."

- That the company is "carrying on activities that are in contravention of the Act or the regulations…".

- That the licence "is not in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents in which the premises is located."

The letter concludes by asking that the city be allowed to participate in any proceedings related to the request, including that the city solicitor attend those proceedings.

On Aug. 4, a shooting at the club left one man dead, while a second shooting that occurred as patrons fled the gunfire left a young woman dead just north of Exhibition Place.

While police quickly released descriptions of two persons of interest in those cases, no arrests have been made.